noun
Uncommon
abigail
A-bih-gayl
Abigail (noun) means (dated) A lady's personal maid or servant. Example: “The countess rang for her abigail to help her dress.”
noun
1
(dated) A lady's personal maid or servant.
"The countess rang for her abigail to help her dress."
How to use abigail
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old word for a woman's personal maid — now mostly known as a first name rather than this old job title.
When to use it
Archaic; you'll mostly see this in older literature, not modern usage.
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Word forms
- Plural
- abigails
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The countess rang for her _____ to help her dress.
Etymology
From the given name Abigail, popularized as a stock name for a waiting-maid in a 17th-century English play.
Class of 1600
abigail joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Rhymes for abigail
See all rhymes for abigail →Frequently asked questions
What does “abigail” mean?
The word “abigail” means (dated) A lady's personal maid or servant. In plain terms, an old word for a woman's personal maid — now mostly known as a first name rather than this old job title.
How do you pronounce “abigail”?
“Abigail” is pronounced A-bih-gayl (/ˈa.bɪ.ɡeɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “abigail” in a sentence?
Here is “abigail” used in a sentence: “The countess rang for her abigail to help her dress.”
What part of speech is “abigail”?
“Abigail” is a noun.
Where does the word “abigail” come from?
The word “abigail” dates back to around 1600. From the given name Abigail, popularized as a stock name for a waiting-maid in a 17th-century English play.
Is “abigail” a common word?
“Abigail” is an uncommon word in modern English.
